Suica vs Pasmo vs IC Cards
Japan has multiple IC card systems — Suica (JR East), Pasmo (Tokyo Metro), Icoca (JR West), Manaca (Nagoya) and others. The good news: they all work interchangeably on trains and buses across Japan. It doesn’t matter which one you get.
Recommendation: Get a Suica. It’s the most widely accepted nationwide and can be loaded onto your iPhone or Android as a digital card.
—
How to Get a Suica Card
Option 1: Physical Suica at the Airport
Available at JR ticket machines in:
- Narita Airport (all terminals)
- Haneda Airport (international and domestic terminals)
- Kansai International Airport
Cost: ¥500 deposit + initial charge (minimum ¥1,000 recommended).
Steps:
- Find a JR ticket machine (green machines at Narita/Haneda)
- Select English
- Select “Suica” or “IC card”
- Choose initial load amount (¥1,000, ¥2,000, etc.)
- Pay cash or credit card
- Collect card
Option 2: Digital Suica on iPhone or Android
Since 2021, foreign-issued Mastercard and Visa cards work with Apple Pay and Google Pay Suica.
iPhone: Wallet app → Add Card → Suica. Works immediately, no setup fee, no ¥500 deposit.
Android: Google Pay → Add card → Suica (in Japan, or use a Japanese Google account).
Digital Suica is the best option — no deposit, add money instantly with your credit card, never forget it at the hotel.
—
How to Load (Charge) Your Suica
- Train station machines: Any JR ticket machine or green machine. Cash only at machines.
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson — tell the cashier “charge Suica” (suica ni charge onegaishimasu)
- Digital Suica: Via Apple Pay or Google Pay using your credit card, instantly
How much to load: Start with ¥3,000–5,000. A single Tokyo train journey costs ¥160–380. Daily transport costs ¥500–1,200 depending on your movements.
—
Where Can You Use Suica?
- All JR trains nationwide
- Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway
- Most buses in major cities
- Station coin lockers
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop
- Vending machines (most of them)
- Many restaurants and cafes
- Some taxis
- Certain McDonald’s and other fast food chains
—
Can You Use Suica on the Shinkansen?
You can use Suica to pay for unreserved seats on some Shinkansen routes. For reserved seats on most Shinkansen routes, you need a separate ticket or the Japan Rail Pass.
For the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Suica alone is not accepted — you need a JR Pass or separate tickets.
—
Getting Your Deposit Back
The ¥500 deposit is refundable. Return your physical Suica at any JR ticket office (みどりの窓口 / Midori-no-madoguchi) before leaving Japan. You’ll also get any remaining balance back (minus a ¥220 handling fee).
Digital Suica has no deposit to refund. Remaining balance can be transferred to a new Suica in future.
—
Related Guides
- Japan entry requirements
- Japan rail pass guide
- How to get around Japan
- Japan itinerary 2 weeks
Staying near a major train station makes using your Suica card and getting around significantly easier.
Find hotels near Tokyo train stations on Klook →
* Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.